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Beyond the itch: Fresh Thinking on Allergy Management
Inflammation rarely stays where it starts. When the gut barrier is compromised, local immune disruption often becomes systemic, affecting not only the digestive tract but also the skin, joints, and other organs.
This second newsletter in our Beyond the Itch: Fresh Thinking on Allergy Management series explores how dietary changes can restore calm from within. We’ll look at how systemic immune disruption occurs, the data on fresh vs kibble diets on those immune markers, and the role of omega-6 and omega-3 ratios in shaping inflammatory signals.
When local disease becomes systemic
The disruption of the gut barrier doesn’t confine itself to the intestine. Translocation of toxic metabolites and antigens triggers low-grade, chronic inflammation – an “inflammaging” phenotype marked by oxidative stress and cytokine imbalance.1 This systemic inflammation creates a feedback loop: an overactive immune system, a fragile barrier, and escalating intolerance, manifesting as erythema, soft stools, or chronic itch.
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“Dogs that have atopic dermatitis… have elevated biomarkers that are associated with damage in the intestinal tract… and significantly lower gut microbiota alpha diversity than healthy dogs.” – Dr Laura Gaylord
This evidence reframes the central challenge in sensitivity management. Previous strategies have assumed that tolerance depends on eliminating triggers. In reality, it depends on re-educating the immune system through a healthy gut ecosystem. The goal is not simply to avoid reaction, but to rebuild tolerance through diversity, integrity, and anti-inflammatory balance.
From restriction to restoration
Fresh, gently cooked diets appear to interrupt that cycle. Research shows dogs fed fresh food exhibited significantly greater microbial diversity and a favourable cytokine profile compared with those on kibble.2 The TNF-α : IL-10 ratio shifted toward an anti-inflammatory state, while IL-8 expression – a marker of epithelial repair – increased.3
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The data suggest that nutritional format and processing temperature can directly influence immune resilience.
“Different diets with different nutrient levels are going to affect [the microbiome]: the amount of protein, type of fats, and even fiber levels.” – Dr Laura Gaylord
The role of fatty acids
Systemic inflammation is further shaped by the balance of dietary fats.4 Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids share the same metabolic enzymes but lead to very different outcomes. Omega-6 fats, such as linoleic acid from plant oils, convert to arachidonic acid — the precursor of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Omega-3 fats, from sources like flax, fish, and algae, are converted to EPA and DHA, which give rise to minimally-inflammatory eicosanoids and actively-resolving mediators such as resolvins and protectins.
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The dietary ratio between these two families determines whether the body tips toward inflammation or recovery. A 2025 systematic review found that therapeutic doses of EPA + DHA improve inflammatory markers and clinical signs across atopic dermatitis, osteoarthritis, and renal disease.5
The benefit peaks when the omega-6 : omega-3 ratio remains below 5.5 : 1. Most hydrolysed dry diets exceed this threshold, sitting between 7 – 9 : 1. Diets formulated near 3 : 1, such as fresh therapeutic meals, align more closely with evidence-based targets for inflammation control and tissue repair.
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About Lyka Hypoallergenic Pro
Lyka Hypoallergenic Pro is designed to address inflammation where it begins. With an anti-inflammatory omega-6 : omega-3 ratio of approximately 3 : 1 and a high-digestibility protein source, it supports cytokine balance, skin barrier repair, and a healthier microbiome. Each meal provides complete, balanced nutrition that helps restore systemic harmony rather than merely reducing flare-ups.
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Webinar
👉 Watch the full webinar, Beyond the Itch: Fresh Thinking on Allergy Management with Dr Laura Gaylord, and learn more about Lyka Hypoallergenic Pro – real food that restores, not just suppresses.
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